First Deputy Director of Russia’s Central Bank, Andrei Kozlov, died at 5:30 a.m. today at a Moscow hospital. The banker was previously attacked on Wednesday evening. He and his bodyguard were shot after a soccer game which the banker attended. Andrei Kozlov was in a state of coma after the surgery which continued for five hours. The top banker was in highly severe condition, doctors took all lifesaving efforts possible, but the official died in the morning today.

Investigators say that the banker’s murder is most likely connected with his professional activities. According to his friends and colleagues, Kozlov had a strict and inflexible position towards the banks involved in money-laundering or other illegal financial activities. Russia’s Central Bank has withdrawn licenses from 40 banks this year on Kozlov’s initiative. Andrei Kozlov repeatedly stated in his interviews that he was going to continue withdrawing licenses from banks dealing with criminal income.

Andrei Kozlov was attacked on Wednesday at 9:00 p.m. The banker was hospitalized with serious gunshot wounds, including a wound in the head. Kozlov driver was shot dead on the site of the crime. Kozlov was taking part in a corporate soccer game which Central Bank and commerce banks organize for their employees every Wednesday. Two men were waiting for the banker to come to the car park after the game. When Andrei Kozlov and his bodyguard were approaching the car, the men opened fire at the official. The bodyguard tried to protect the banker and was killed instantly.

Andrei Kozlov was born on January 6, 1965 in Moscow. In 1989 he graduated from the Department of International Economic Relations of the Moscow Financial Institute. He was fluent in English and German. Andrei Kozlov was married and had three children.